Speed Family Papers, 1813-1981

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Speed family

Title: Papers, 1813-1981

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection: 10 cubic feet

Locator Number: Mss. A S742f

Scope and Content Note

The Speed Family Papers consist of the papers of the family and descendants of U.S. Attorney General James Speed.  The collection begins with material related to the salt industry in early-19th century Kentucky.  The Civil War and Reconstruction are covered heavily in the papers of James Speed and Joshua F. Speed, and the postbellum era, particularly its politics, is represented in the papers of John Speed.  The twentieth century papers cover a variety of topics including agriculture and nature, World War I, the Korean War, and student experiences at Purdue University and in Australia. CLICK HERE to view a PDF inventory of the collection’s content.

Biographical Note

The Speeds were a prominent family in Louisville, Kentucky.  After immigrating to Kentucky in the early-nineteenth century, John Speed (1772-1840) and his wife, Lucy (1788-1874) settled on Beargrass Creek and built Farmington, a Federal-style home.  The Speed plantation specialized in hemp but produced a variety of other goods, including livestock, apples, and tobacco.  Two of John and Lucy Speed’s sons became prominent in business, law, and politics in the antebellum era.  James Speed (1812-1887) was a Louisville attorney before becoming involved in state politics and eventually rising to United States Attorney General under Abraham Lincoln.  His brother, Joshua Fry Speed (1814-1882), was a prominent businessman in Louisville and Springfield, Illinois, and was a close friend of Lincoln.  James Speed’s son, John (1842-1920), was an officer in the Union army during the Civil War.  In the postbellum era, he was a farmer in Spencer County and was active in Republican politics.  John Speed’s son, James (1867-1945), was an agriculturalist and naturalist.  Among other pursuits, he edited the Southern Agriculturalist and wrote articles for the Louisville Herald-Post.  His sons, John (1893-1968) and Thomas (1895-1952), were both soldiers in World War I.  John’s son, James (1930-2006) was a soldier in the Korean War.  John Speed (b. 1955) is the son of James Speed and attended college and medical school at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia.

Folder List

Folder 1: David L. Ward – Correspondence, 1813-1814 CLICK TO ACCESS PDF

Folder 2: David L. Ward – Correspondence, 1815 CLICK TO ACCESS PDF

Folder 3: John Speed (1772-1840) – Correspondence

Folder 4: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, 1831-1855

Folder 5: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, 1863

Folder 6: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, 1864

Folder 7: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, January-February 1865

Folder 8: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, March-May 1865

Folder 9: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, June 1865

Folder 10: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, July-August 1865

Folder 11: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, September-October 1865

Folder 12: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, November-December 1865

Folder 13: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, January-February 1866

Folder 14: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, March-May 1866

Folder 15: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, June-July 1866

Folder 16: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, August 1866

Folder 17: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, September 1866

Folder 18: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, October 1866

Folder 19: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, November 1866

Folder 20: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, February & June 1867

Folder 21: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, July 1-15, 1867

Folder 22: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, July 16-31, 1867

Folder 23: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, August-September 1867

Folder 24: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, October 1867

Folder 25: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, November 1867

Folder 26: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, December 1867

Folder 27: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, 1868-1887

Folder 28: James Speed (1812-1887) – Correspondence, undated

Folder 29: James Speed (1812-1887) – John Grable Correspondence

Folder 30: James Speed (1812-1887) – Legal and Business Papers

Folder 31: James Speed (1812-1887) – Pamphlets

Folder 32: James Speed (1812-1887) – Receipts

Folder 33: James Speed (1812-1887) – Checks

Folder 34: James Speed (1812-1887) – Writings on Joseph Holt

Folder 35: James Speed (1812-1887) – Miscellaneous

Folder 36: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, February-March 1864

Folder 37: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, November 1861-April 1864

Folder 38: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, November 1863-May 1864

Folder 39: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, January-July 1864

Folder 40: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, January-August 1864

Folder 41: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, June 1863-October 1864

Folder 42: Speed & Smith – Correspondence, July-October 1864

Folder 43: Joshua Fry Speed (1814-1882) – Correspondence, 1841-1843

Folder 44: Joshua Fry Speed (1814-1882) – Correspondence, 1845-1857

Folder 45: Joshua Fry Speed (1814-1882) – Correspondence, 1861-1876

Folder 46: Joshua Fry Speed (1814-1882) – Legal & Business Papers

Folder 47: Martha Bell Speed Adams (b. 1822) – Correspondence

Folder 48: Joseph Holt (1807-1895) – Correspondence

Folder 49: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1848-1855

Folder 50: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1856

Folder 51: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1857

Folder 52: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1858

Folder 53: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1859

Folder 54: Wilson, Starbird, & Smith – Correspondence, 1860

Folder 55: James Speed Account Book, 1855-1856

Folder 56: Speed & Beattie Letterpress Book, 1857-1860

Folder 57: Speed & Beattie Letter Book, 1857-1858

Folder 58: Speed Family Scrapbook

Folder 59: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1862-1865

Folder 60: John Speed (1842-1920) – Military papers, 1862-1865

Folder 61: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1866-1890

Folder 62: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1894

Folder 63: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1895

Folder 64: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1896

Folder 65: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1897

Folder 66: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1898

Folder 67: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1899

Folder 68: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, January-July 1900

Folder 69: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, August-December 1900

Folder 70: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, January-July 1901

Folder 71: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, August-December 1901

Folder 72: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1902

Folder 73: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, January-April 1903

Folder 74: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, May-August 1903

Folder 75: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, September-December 1903

Folder 76: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, January-March 1904

Folder 77: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, April-June 1904

Folder 78: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, July-December 1904

Folder 79: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1905-1907

Folder 80: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, 1915

Folder 81: John Speed (1842-1920) – Correspondence, undated

Folder 82: John Speed (1842-1920) – Legal papers

Folder 83: John Speed (1842-1920) – Miscellaneous

Folder 84: John Speed (1842-1920) – Account book, 1898-1902

Folder 85: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1885-1888

Folder 86: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1895-1896

Folder 87: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1897

Folder 88: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1898

Folder 89: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, January-June 1899

Folder 90: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, July-December 1899

Folder 91: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1900

Folder 92: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1901

Folder 93: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, January-April 1903

Folder 94: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, May-August 1903

Folder 95: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, September-December 1903

Folder 96: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, January-April 1904

Folder 97: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, May-July 1904

Folder 98: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, August-December 1904

Folder 99: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, 1905-1906

Folder 100: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, January-June 1907

Folder 101: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, July-December 1907

Folder 102: John Speed (1842-1920) – Receipts, undated

Folder 103: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1894

Folder 104: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1895

Folder 105: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1896

Folder 106: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1897

Folder 107: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1898

Folder 108: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1899

Folder 109: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1900

Folder 110: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1901

Folder 111: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, 1902

Folder 112: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, November 1902-November 1903

Folder 113: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, February 1904-March 1905

Folder 114: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, March 1905-1907

Folder 115: John Speed (1842-1920) – Fidelity Trust Checks, 1903-1905

Folder 116: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checks, undated

Folder 117: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, June 1894-January 1895

Folder 118: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, January-April 1895

Folder 119: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, April-August 1895

Folder 120: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, April-August 1896

Folder 121: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, August-November 1896

Folder 122: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, February-May 1897

Folder 123: John Speed (1842-1920) – Checkbook, May-July 1897

Folder 124: John Speed (1842-1920) – Bankbook, 1894-1897

Folder 125: John Speed (1842-1920) – Bankbook, 1897-1901

Folder 126: James Speed (1867-1945) – Correspondence, 1907-1942; Receipts

Folder 127: James Speed (1867-1945) – Radio talks

Folder 128: James Speed (1867-1945) – Radio talks, drafts

Folder 129: James Speed (1867-1945) – Radio talks, “Dick and Harriet”

Folder 130: James Speed (1867-1945) – Article manuscripts

Folder 131: James Speed (1867-1945) – Manuscript for school book

Folder 132: James Speed (1867-1945) – Untitled story

Folder 133: James Speed (1867-1945) – “Notes on Mexican Trip” typescript

Folder 134: James Speed (1867-1945) – “Negro Music”

Folder 135: James Speed (1867-1945) – Pamphlets

Folder 136: James Speed (1867-1945) – Louisville Pamphlets

Folder 137: James Speed (1867-1945) – Miscellaneous Pamphlets

Folder 138: James Speed (1867-1945) – Newspaper clippings

Folder 139: James Speed (1867-1945) – Radio talks scrapbook

Folder 140: James Speed (1867-1945) – Journal, 1925

Folder 141: James Speed (1867-1945) – Journal, 1927

Folder 142: James Speed (1867-1945) – Journal, 1929

Folder 143: James Speed (1867-1945) – Journal, 1930

Folder 144: James Speed (1867-1945) – Checkbooks, 1932-1939

Folder 145: James Speed (1867-1945) – Southern Agriculturalist prints

Folder 146: James Speed (1867-1945) – Miscellaneous

Folder 147: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, ca. 1883-1887

Folder 148: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, January-November 1933

Folder 149: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, April-May 1933

Folder 150: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, August-September 1933

Folder 151: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, October-November 1933

Folder 152: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, November 1933-January 1934

Folder 153: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, January-February 1934

Folder 154: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, March-April 1934

Folder 155: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, April-May 1934

Folder 156: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, June-July 1934

Folder 157: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, July-October 1934

Folder 158: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, October-November 1934

Folder 159: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, November 1934-January 1935

Folder 160: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, December 1934-March 1935

Folder 161: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, March-August 1935

Folder 162: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, August-September 1935

Folder 163: James Speed (1867-1945) – Clippings Scrapbook, undated

Folder 164: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, 1909-1916

Folder 165: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, undated from while student at Purdue

Folder 166: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, February-April 1917

Folder 167: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, May-June 1917

Folder 168: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, July-August 1917

Folder 169: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, September-October 1917

Folder 170: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, November-December 1917

Folder 171: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, January-February 1918

Folder 172: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, March-May 1918

Folder 173: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, June-September 1918

Folder 174: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, October-December 1918

Folder 175: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, January-February 1919

Folder 176: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, March-May 1919

Folder 177: John Speed (1893-1968) – Correspondence, undated

Folder 178: John Speed (1893-1968) – Miscellaneous envelopes

Folder 179: John Speed (1893-1968) – Journal, November 1917-February 1918

Folder 180: John Speed (1893-1968) – Journal, 1918

Folder 181: John Speed (1893-1968) – Orders

Folder 182: John Speed (1893-1968) – Military records & certificates

Folder 183: John Speed (1893-1968) – Maps & topography class

Folder 184: John Speed (1893-1968) – Notebooks

Folder 185: John Speed (1893-1968) – Chronology of service

Folder 186: John Speed (1893-1968) – World War I ephemera & miscellaneous

Folder 187: John Speed (1893-1968) – Address book

Folder 188: John Speed (1893-1968) – Pamphlets

Folder 189: John Speed (1893-1968) – French-English dictionary

Folder 190: John Speed (1893-1968) – Purdue ephemera

Folder 191: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook, correspondence

Folder 192: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook, Purdue miscellaneous

Folder 193: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook, Purdue ephemera

Folder 194: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook, newspaper articles by John Speed

Folder 195: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook, printed material and clippings

Folder 196: John Speed (1893-1968) – Wickliffe Mounds

Folder 197: John Speed (1893-1968) – Miscellaneous

Folder 198: Thomas B. Speed (1895-1952) – Correspondence, 1917

Folder 199: Thomas B. Speed (1895-1952) – Correspondence, January-September 1918

Folder 200: Thomas B. Speed (1895-1952) – Correspondence, October-December 1918

Folder 201: Thomas B. Speed (1895-1952) – Correspondence, undated

Folder 202: Thomas B. Speed (1895-1952) – Orders and certificates

Folder 203: World War I ephemera

Folder 204: World War I newspaper clippings

Folder 205: James Speed (1930-2006) – Baby Book

Folder 206: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, 1949-1950

Folder 207: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, January-October 1951

Folder 208: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, November-December 1951

Folder 209: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, January 1952

Folder 210: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, February 1952

Folder 211: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, March 1952

Folder 212: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, April 1952

Folder 213: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, May 1-15, 1952

Folder 214: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, May 16-31, 1952

Folder 215: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, June 1-15, 1952

Folder 216: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, June 16-30, 1952

Folder 217: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, July 1-15, 1952

Folder 218: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, July 16-31, 1952

Folder 219: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, August 1-15, 1952

Folder 220: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, August 16-31, 1952

Folder 221: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, September 1-15, 1952

Folder 222: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, September 16-30, 1952

Folder 223: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, October 1-15, 1952

Folder 224: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, October 16-31, 1952

Folder 225: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, November 1-15, 1952

Folder 226: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, November 16-30, 1952

Folder 227: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, December 1-15, 1952

Folder 228: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, December 16-31, 1952

Folder 229: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, January 1-15, 1953

Folder 230: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, January 16-31, 1953

Folder 231: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, February 1-15, 1953

Folder 232: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, February 16-28, 1953

Folder 233: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, March 1-15, 1953

Folder 234: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, March 16-31, 1953

Folder 235: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, April 1-15, 1953

Folder 236: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, April 16-30, 1953

Folder 237: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, May 1953

Folder 238: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, June-July 1953
Folder 239: James Speed (1930-2006) – Correspondence, 1954, undated

Folder 240: James Speed (1930-2006) – Training papers

Folder 241: James Speed (1930-2006) – Discharge papers & miscellaneous

Folder 242: James Speed (1930-2006) – Notebooks

Folder 243: James Speed (1930-2006) – Newspapers

Folder 244: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1970

Folder 245: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1971

Folder 246: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1972

Folder 247: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1973-1974

Folder 248: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1975

Folder 249: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1976

Folder 250: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1977

Folder 251: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1978

Folder 252: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1979

Folder 253: John Speed (b. 1955) – Correspondence, 1980-1981

Folder 254: Speed Family – Miscellaneous correspondence, 1840-1931

Folder 255: Barker-Owen Family Papers, 1841-1862

Folder 256: Speed Family Genealogy and Transcripts

Folder 257: Thomas Lincoln (1812) Gravesite

Folder 258: Pamphlets

Folder 259: Miscellaneous

Wrapped & Oversized

Folder 260: John Speed (1893-1968) – Scrapbook

Folder 261: John Speed (1893-1968) – World War I Maps (Oversize)

Folder 262: John Speed (1893-1968) – World War I Maps (Oversize)

 

Subject Headings

Agriculture

Arkansas – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Bloody Monday, Louisville, Ky., 1855

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

Buell, Don Carlos, 1818-1898

Burbridge, Stephen G. (Stephen Gano), 1831-1894

Cape May (N.J.) – Description and travel

Carter, Jimmy, 1924-

Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Clay, James B. (James Brown), 1817-1864

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969

Farmington (Louisville, Ky.)

France – Description and travel

Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Goebel, William, 1856-1900

Guerrillas – Confederate States of America – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Kentucky – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Kentucky – Politics and government

Korean War, 1950-1953

Korean War, 1950-1953 – Armistices

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : St. Louis, Mo.)

Louisville (Ky.) – Social life and customs

Medical education – Australia

Mexico – Description and travel

Military education

Mississippi – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994

Populism

Presidents – United States – Election – 1876

Presidents – United States – Election – 1896

Purdue University – Students

Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) – Kentucky

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854-)

Robertson, George, 1790-1874

Rousseau, Lovell Harrison, 1818-1869

Salt industry and trade – Kentucky

Segregation – Kentucky – Louisville

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862

Slavery – Kentucky

Soldiers – Alcohol use

Spanish-American War, 1898

Speed family

Stalin, Joseph, 1879-1953

Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 – Public opinion

Unionists (United States Civil War)

Unionists (United States Civil War) – Kentucky

United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Underground movements

United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Veterans

United States. Army – History – Punitive Expedition into Mexico, 1916

United States. Army – Military life

United States. Army – Military police

United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands

United States. Constitution 13th Amendment

United States. Constitution 14th Amendment

United States. Constitution 15th Amendment

Ward, David L.

Wolford, Frank L. (Frank Lane), 1817-1895

World War, 1914-1918

World War, 1914-1918 – Destruction and pillage

World War, 1914-1918 – Trench warfare